Office of Drug Control PolicyGovernor Fletcher Presents Narcotic Officer of the Year Award

Press Release Date:

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Contact Information:

Contact Stacy Floden(502) 564-8220(502)-382-7155(Cell)

Frankfort, KY: Governor Ernie Fletcher presented the Narcotic Officer of the Year Award last week at the first ever Kentucky Narcotic Officer’s Conference sponsored by the Office of Drug Control Policy, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Narcotics Officers Association and the Regional Organized Crime Information Center.

Special Agent Frank Antos of the United States Forest Service was the recipient of the award. Agent Antos has been assigned as a task force member of the Appalachia HIDTA for the past five years. During the fall of 2004, Agent Antos along with other Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force members initiated a 13-month domestic marijuana cultivation/distribution investigation resulting in the seizure of over $600,000 worth of property. Currently, federal indictments are pending on five members of this drug trafficking organization.

In February 2005, Agent Antos also initiated another investigation resulting in numerous sealed federal indictments pending. Agent Antos discovered a suspect with approximately a half a pound of meth inside his vehicle. After further investigation it was determined the organization was capable of delivering eight pounds of meth from Mexico to Las Vegas to Pulaski County every ten days. According to the DEA, this was the first actual case documented of 100% pure liquid meth coming into the United States. It was transported in carry-on luggage inside tequila bottles. During the past eight months Agent Antos along with others in the task force have identified 73 individuals involved in the distribution of meth solely in the state of Kentucky.

“Agent Antos demonstrates a strong willingness to work as a team member with all local, state and federal officers,” said Director of the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, David Gilbert. “He has provided invaluable experience, leadership and guidance to younger drug enforcement officers within the Appalachia HIDTA region and other surrounding states.”

“Frank Antos exemplifies the type of drug task force officer Kentucky needs to continue the fight against drugs,” said Executive Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, Teresa Barton. “His ability to communicate, organize and plan activities with different law enforcement agencies makes Agent Antos a successful team leader and Kentucky is happy to have someone like him on our side.”

Nearly 250 representatives of law enforcement throughout the state attended the two-day conference held at the Marriott Griffin Gate Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.